Kenyan police confirmed on Thursday they repulsed an attempt by al-Shabab militants to attack a security camp in Elram area, Mandera County, near the Somalia border.
Rono Bunei, North Eastern regional police commander said militants had Tuesday night shot several times towards the local Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) camp prompting a response from local teams.
Bunei said no injury was reported on the side of local security agents but added that there was a heavy fire exchange that lasted almost 10 minutes before the gang retreated.
“We continue to urge cooperation from the locals to help us tame this madness.
“No one can explain how these bombs are set on the roads without the knowledge of locals,” said Bunei.
Local police said they were conducting an assessment in the area to establish if there was any casualty, noting that such attempts had become common, targeting and provoking security agents.
“The militants on a regular basis target the security camps to provoke a war.
“We know some remnants are operating in this area and still hunting them,” said an officer aware of the trend.
This is the latest such incident to happen in the area in a series of others that target security agencies by ambush or setting bombs on the roads. (NAN)